Worship Guide - Baptism of the Lord, Year B

Worship with One Click

You can choose to watch all of this Sunday's worship service in a series of linked videos, one after the other, by clicking this link. Just press the button that says "PLAY ALL" and sit back and relax. You can also just click on the graphic to the left.​ Otherwise, proceed as normal through the sections.

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When Jesus entered the Jordan for baptism, even the waters were made clean.
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So goes an ancient church catechism. The more we spend time with this evocation, the more we might draw from it. Implications for the healing of our rivers and waterways, healing for our self understandings and our politics for those of us who walk wet “downstream” of this Good News. Cleansing for a nation and a culture soiled by untruths and a broken story.

To consider baptism is to consider the shape of the life we take on—wisdom enfleshed—the practical ways in which we adopt practices that genuinely reflect what we understand to be life-giving and of value. A way of life that grows from the understanding God, whose Spirit hovers over these waters, has created all things good.

All things.
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Wade in the water. Enter into worship. 

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Connections with Andrea

If you have prayers you would like to share, please do so here. These will be shared by email to our St Andrew prayer list so that we pray for what you hold by name. This information is not shared online in a searchable form.

Prelude

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Gathering Song

God of heaven and earth,
we gather in the name of Jesus to hear your Holy Word
and to be drenched in your Spirit.
Speak to us with grace and truth
and pour out your love upon us
so that our lives may resound in joy and thanksgiving.
Amen.

Call to Worship

Opening Hymn

Confession and Assurance

S​end a text to a couple of people. Make a call. Who comes to mind for you? Wish them well. More than that, wish them the peace that comes with justice. Then click below.

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The Word

Creator Spirit,
who hovered over the waters at creation’s birth,
who descended in the form of a dove at Jesus’ baptism,
who was poured out under the signs of fire and wind at Pentecost:
Come to us, open our hearts and minds,
so that we may hear the Word of life
and be renewed by your power,
for you live and reign with the Father and the Son,
now and forever.
Amen.

Genesis 1:1-5 † Psalm 29 † Acts 19:1-7 † Mark 1:4-11

Psalm of Response

Meditation

A transcript of this sermon can be found here.

Hymn of Response

Thanksgiving for Baptism

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The Eucharist

If you haven’t already, set the elements—some bread, some juice or wine…and water!—in the room or space where you worship in these days with our faith community. Set a table with things that remind you that you are beloved, of sacred, absolute worth.

​If a joy or a concern has come to mind, please share it with the assembly here so you do not carry it alone. These will be shared by email to our St Andrew prayer list so that we pray for what you hold by name. This information is emailed to a curated group, not shared or posted online in a searchable form.

As we respond to God's grace and new life, consider those ways you can express gratitude, thanksgiving and blessing. And remember that we continue to keep our financial commitments to our mission partners and staff. Thank you for remembering to send in your financial pledges and offerings.

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Sending Song

Blessing